Ohio House Passes Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act, Advancing to Senate for Approval

The Ohio House of Representatives approved House Bill 486, the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act, on November 19, 2025, in a 62-27 vote along party lines, sending the measure to the state Senate for consideration.

Sponsored by State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and State Rep. Michael Dovilla (R-Berea), the legislation permits teachers in public schools and instructors at state institutions of higher education to provide instruction on the positive influence of Judeo-Christian values on American history and culture when teaching U.S. history. The bill amends sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 of the Ohio Revised Code and enacts new sections 3320.09, 3320.10, and 3320.11.

Key provisions state that such instruction aligns with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and constitutes an accurate historical account, not proselytization. The act specifies that teaching the historical, positive impact of religion on American history reduces ignorance, hate, and violence in society. It includes examples for educators, such as the religious motivations of the Pilgrims, Christian references in the Mayflower Compact, appeals to divine providence in the Declaration of Independence, the role of religious leaders in the abolitionist movement and civil rights, and the influence of Judeo-Christian principles on the U.S. Constitution.

The bill reaffirms educators' rights under Ohio's constitution to discuss these topics without fear of violating church-state separation. It notes that current state learning standards address religion's historical role neutrally but do not emphasize positive associations, which the act seeks to clarify.

Named for Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University, the legislation honors his advocacy for recognizing Christianity's foundational role in American principles. Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and Christian, frequently highlighted these historical connections in his speeches and writings. President Trump ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff until September 14, 2025, in Kirk's memory.

Rep. Click described Kirk as "a committed Christian, whose life and work will serve as a testament to the power of conservative ideals combined with a legacy of faith for generations to come." Rep. Dovilla added, "It’s essential that we highlight the positive influence religion has had throughout our history – uniting communities, enriching our shared values, and safeguarding our First Amendment rights as Americans to speak and worship freely."

Gabe Guidarini, chairman of the Ohio College Republican Federation, stated, "This bill does not impose a belief system, it simply allows teachers and professors to include historical truths that have too often been neglected — how faith shaped the resolve of the pilgrims, guided our Founders’ convictions, inspired movements that provided us the liberties we enjoy today and informed the moral fabric that has bound our republic together since its birth."

The Ohio Senate, with a 24-9 Republican majority, has not yet introduced the bill for consideration. If passed and signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, the act would take effect 90 days after filing with the secretary of state. Opponents, including the Ohio Council for the Social Studies and civil liberties groups, argue that existing standards already permit balanced discussion of religion's historical role and that the bill promotes selective, ideologically driven narratives.